There’s also the local library book sale this weekend, which always reminds me of Rodney Dangerfield in “Back To School,” when he’s buying books for his kid – “What do you want used books for? They’ve already been read.”

I don’t know if it’s bad karma or just general insanity, but I have had numerous incidents driving in the past week or so where I have almost been hit, or someone does something incredibly idiotic in front of me. I’d blame it on the moon, or perhaps Wall Street tanking, but I’m more inclined to agree with Mike Judge’s movie “Idiocracy” about the general decline of intelligence. Don’t believe me? Check this clipof a potential future veep incorrectly explaining what the job entails.

And for those who saw some flakes today, get your whining shoes on and start complaining about the snow and cold. There was no way we could have seen this coming in this neck of the woods, as who knew that as our planet distanced itself from that big fat star we call the sun that temperatures would drop, rain would turn icy and then into snow, or whatever 456 names the Eskimos have for it, that furnaces would have to be kicked on, turtlenecks and winter coats bought, boots purchased, ice scrapers for the windshields (front and back, and the side windows if you have a good work ethic), firewood stacked, and golf courses closed. Oh, the humanity. Me, I love the cold. No mosquitoes for one, and on the whole, it’s a lot quieter. And do I worry about cabin fever? Are you kidding? As any soccer mom like myself will tell you, once you’ve been shackled with kids and home bound for so long, what difference does the weather make, outside of pools of water by the front and side doors?

Winter is coming, so do something smart. Check your car over and make sure it’s safe. You know, tires, fluids, etc. Have your furnace checked and cleaned if necessary. Stockpile some batteries and water in case the power goes out. Give your old coats and gloves and boots to people who need them but can’t afford them. And by all means, complain about the cold, as much as possible, to every cashier and clerk you meet, as if they were unaware of the meteorological change in the atmosphere. Because next year, for sure, it’ll stay in the 60′s from October through March. Really.

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moved to Pittsford as a teenager and attended Pittsford-Mendon High School. Her greatest passion is as a lover of and advocate for the arts and music. Donna attended Rhode Island School of Design and earned an MFA from R.I.T. She’s a free-lance art director, advertising photographer and copywriter. Her love of narrative and film has led her to direct and produce short films.

Donna developed her awareness of and concern for environmental issues after being
exposed to the chemicals in artist materials in art schools in the US and Canada which
made her ill for a time. Healthy today, she finds pleasure in nature, writing, and music.
She enjoys Pittsford for its picturesque locations, wildlife, and community involvement.

was born in Rochester, lived here for a while until his dad was transferred to Connecticut ("Thanks, Xerox."). Then a few years later they came back to Fairport ("Thanks again, Xerox."), but Bill went to Pittsford schools. He moved over to Pittsford in 1979. He worked a bunch of jobs, played in bands, went back to MCC and then U of R for a Bachelor's degree in the early 90's. Shortly after that, he moved to NYC with his wife, Laura, where he worked at Ogilvy & Mather and Christie's doing tech support. They moved out to Northern Virginia during the Internet boom, hoping to get rich quick, but missed that boat. They moved back to Pittsford in 2001, along with two boys. Bill still plays guitar with the Chinchillas, the Squeaky Chair Jazz band, and the Steve Greene Trio occasionally.

"Though all communities and areas get a certain reputation (deserved or not), there is a good quality of life here, and the bulk of the people I have met here and places I have been to reflect that," Bill says. "My reason for wanting to blog about the town is at least twofold -- to vent my views and continue with writing, but also to force myself to engage in the environment in which I live. Too many people complain there is nothing to do or see, but they never actually get out and look. I don't want to be like that."